Community input wanted for naming of new elementary school

With construction of a new elementary school well under way on Kirkland Road, the Newton County Board of Education is requesting community input for naming the school, which is scheduled to open in 2009."Naming a school is a responsibility we take very seriously," said Dr. Steve Whatley, Newton County Schools superintendent. "The name we select for the new school will be part of the permanent history of our school system and our county. As a result, the school board feels the community should have a role in selecting the name."According to school board policy, although it is ultimately the school board's responsibility to name all new facilities in the district, the board may solicit input from the community and staff prior to naming the facility.Recent new schools have been named after geographical locations, landmarks and areas of the county. According to board policy, a facility may only be named after an individual, living or deceased, if the land was donated by the individual or the individual's family and was accepted by the board for the purpose of constructing a school facility. A facility may also be named after an individual if the individual or his/her family donated money to purchase land or construct a school facility and the money was accepted by the board for that purpose.Students, employees and residents of Newton County are encouraged to participate in the naming of the new schools by submitting suggested names. Suggestions must be received in writing and include a rationale for the proposed name. The deadline to submit suggestions for the name of the new elementary school is 5 p.m., Nov. 24.Suggestions should be mailed to Sherri Viniard, Director of Public Relations, Newton County Schools, P.O. Box 1469, Covington 30015. Suggestions may also be delivered to the public relations department, located at the Board of Education building at 2109 Newton Drive NE, Covington 30014. The NCSS public relations department also will accept suggestions through the school system's Community Feedback link on the homepage of the NCSS Web site at www.newtoncountyschools.org or via e-mail to viniard.sherri@newton.k12.ga.us.All suggested names and rationale received by the deadline will be presented to board members at the Dec. 9 combined work session/monthly meeting. During the Jan. 13 work session the board members will discuss the various names submitted and narrow the list to no more than six for further consideration. The BOE will take action on naming the new school at the Jan. 20 monthly meeting.